Anesthetic management for children-with congenital airway anomalies

Abstract

From the anesthesiologist's perspective, important airway anomalies include Choana! atresia, micrognathia, microstomia, macroglossia, laryngeal and tracheal anomalies, and cervical spine anomalies.

The airway obstruction caused by choana! atresia alone can usually be corrected by insertion of an oral airway. Laryngoscopy in patients with choana! atresia is usually uncomplicated. However, when combined with other airway malformations, challenging situations can occur.

Micrognathia is a component of many malformation syndromes including Pierre Robin, Trencher Collins. Mild or moderate micrognathia alone can make laryngoscopy difficult but not impossible. Severe micrognathia or concurrent additional airway malformations may make laryngoscopy a frightening procedure Microstomia is a relatively uncommon airway malformation and is defined as an abnormally small oral stoma. From the anesthesiologist's perspective, any limitation to insertion of the laryngoscope or other airway hardware constitutes microstomia. Macroglossia is also a relatively uncommon malformation. Perhaps the best known